Safety manual mooted for all hospitals

But for the timely and swift action of the staff nurses at the Victoria General Hospital popularly known as Gosha Hospital in the city, nine new born babies would have either been burnt or suffocated to death.

The fire that occurred at the children’s ward in hospital, has set the bell ringing for the State government. Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas visited the hospital on Saturday and on Monday HRD Minister Ganta Srinivas Rao along with a high-level delegation visited the hospital.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Mr. Srinivasa Rao, said, “There is practically no fire fighting system in the hospital. It is agreed that it is one among the oldest women and children hospital in the coastal district, but the systems present are obsolete.” Asked that 25 of the 146 registered hospitals in the city do not have ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from the fire wing of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, he said, “It is not only in Visakhapatnam, we have to review the situation in the entire State The accident was an eye-opener and and a high-level delegation comprising the district Collector and Health Secretary will review the situation. we have decided on formulating a state-level safety manual for hospitals, which will go beyond the National Building Code and general fire safety norms. It will cover every aspect from electric connection to fire safety to water pipelines.”

He also said fire fighting system at King George Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam, the oldest in the State needs to be reviewed immediately.